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There are two things the tiny town of Warroad, Minnesota knows how to produce: Windows and Olympians. With a population of only 1700, Warroad has sent eight hockey players to the Winter Olympics, and seven have brought home medals. One player was part of the 1980 Miracle on Ice team: Dave Christian. Born and raised in Warroad, Christian was destined to become a hockey player. His father and two uncles played hockey in the Olympics. His father Bill and uncle Roger both brought home gold medals in 1960 and his uncle, Gordon, won silver in 1956. From a young age, Christian had a knack for playing hockey. His speed, intelligence and ability to put the puck in the net caught the eye of many college and NHL scouts. Christian chose to play for the University of North Dakota, the same place where his Uncle Gordon played. In two seasons at UND, Christian racked up 70 points and helped lead the Fighting Sioux to the 1979 WCHA Championship and the NCAA Frozen Four. That summer, Christian was selected 40th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the NHL Draft. Before Christian began his 13-year NHL career, he was selected to play on the 1980 US Olympic hockey team coached by Herb Brooks. As the pre-Olympic exhibition schedule progressed, Herb decided to move Christian from forward to defense. To many, the move was a turning point for the team and showed how much Brooks trusted Christian’s versatility and hockey sense. During the Olympics, Christian led all Team USA defensemen with eight points and notched an assist on Mark Johnson’s pivotal game tying goal against the Soviet Union, with only one second left in the first period. After the Olympics, Christian was signed by the Winnipeg Jets and had an immediate impact, scoring just seven seconds into his first shift, which is still the record for the fastest goal by a player in his first game. Christian went on to have a fabulous NHL career with five different teams including Chicago, Washington, Winnipeg, Boston, and St. Louis. Christian played in over 1000 games, scoring 340 goals, which is the most by any Minnesota born player. He also played in the 1991 NHL All-star game and the 1990 Stanley Cup Finals. In 2001, Christian was elected into the US Hockey Hall of Fame. Christian currently resides in Chaska, Minnesota with his wife Lisa. Along with his passion of golfing, Christian has spoken at many events and fundraisers. We are thankful and honored to have Dave speak at the InSports Charity Golf Tournament June 9th at Oxbow Country Club.

The hockey community in Minnesota has always had a special place in Pat Micheletti’s heart. Pat plans to share the impact hockey made on his life by speaking at the InSports Foundation Charity Golf Tournament this summer. At the tournament Pat will express how the hockey opportunities in his life made him who he is today. He wants younger generations to experience the love and passion for the game as he did. The tournament will be hosted June 9th, 2014 at Oxbow Country Club, just 30 minutes south of Fargo. The Hibbing, Minnesota native was born December 11, 1963. Pat was the youngest of 9 children, with 6 older brothers and 2 older sisters. Growing up, the kids spent most of their winters outdoors playing hockey. After a successful high school career, Pat was being sought after to play college hockey at schools across the nation.

However, the only place he desired to play was at the University of Minnesota; he wanted to follow in his brothers, Joe and Don, footsteps and be a Golden Gopher. It was his dream school and it was “an honor and privilege to get a scholarship to play there”, Pat recalls. He went on to be the second all-time leading scorer in Gopher Hockey history and got the chance to continue his career with the Minnesota North Stars. He then finished his career playing professionally in Varese, Italy, where he was forced to retire due to knee injuries.Looking back, Pat says, “My accomplishments were mainly due to the mentoring from my parents, brothers, and sisters who taught me how to act, how to handle the pressures of athletics, and the drive to succeed.”Pat now continues to be a part of the game of hockey in Minnesota through multiple broadcasts he is part of throughout the winter. He is currently a Radio Analyst for Gopher Hockey, Co-host of Wild Fan Line post-game call-in show, and Co-host of radio show “Beyond on the Pond”. On top of all of this, Pat also makes a few guest appearances to places such as Fox 9 Sports Primetime, Wild hockey pre-view parties, and most recently, an analyst at the 2014 Minnesota High School Boy’s Hockey Tournament.Pat loves the opportunity to broadcast many levels of hockey every winter, saying, “Broadcasting allows me to still be apart of the game and increases my exposure in the community.” He also went on to say, “When I broadcast from any venue, I prepare as if I am preparing to play in that game.” Pat says hockey has taught him that, “it was always important to be a good teammate and an even better friend.” He hopes to instill the positive contributions sports such as hockey can make on the youth through this event. Please join us this summer at our first ever Charity Golf Tournament, and see Minnesota Hockey icon, Pat Micheletti share his stories at our awards dinner after the round. Stay tuned to catch the rest of our historical lineup of speakers.﻿

Imagine, being a youth athlete going in to the doctor for a concussion test. Then, discovering you actually had a golf-ball sized tumor in your brain resulting in cancer. This is what happened to junior hockey player Zach Kraft, a 1993 USHL draft pick. After taking a hard hit to the head in a game playing for the Wisconsin Wilderness, where he served as the team captain, Zach had complained about terrible headaches. What he had anticipated to be a concussion going into the doctor resulted in an abnormality in his brain. He was sent to a hospital in Duluth for further testing where he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer. Zach has always been a leader and role model for those around him. He helped lead Fargo North High School to the North Dakota State Hockey Championship just 2 years ago. He scored the game winning goal to win the State Tournament for the first time in 26 years for Fargo North. Zach’s positive and strong-willed attitude is what is pushing him to fight through this hard time. To help Zach and his family we have created shirts with a design made by Zach himself. We hope to help with medical funds and travel expenses, as well as creating a large support group throughout the hockey community.

You can also help support Zach by donating to go-fund-me.com/zachkraft or to any Bell State Bank and donate in care of the Zach Kraft Benefit Fund.

Quotes about Zach:

Rob Aasand - North Head Coach: “His mindset is unbreakable. He's a positive kid; he's the most positive kid I've ever met. This news doesn't faze him; he cares about accomplishing the next goal in his life. Nothing is going to stop him. He said to me and to his family and to everybody 'We will get through this.' It's just another step in life.”

Assistant Captain Justin Gregory: “It’s a situation nobody would wish upon their worst enemy – and it’s knocking on Krafty’s door. Even if he were to think he doesn’t have a big family, he has 21 brothers supporting him every step of the way. If there is anyone who can beat this, it’s Zack.”

Assistant Captain Sawyer Jacobson:“It’s something that really took us by surprise. It’s amazing how a concussion can be the reason they found this – so in a way it’s a blessing in disguise. He’s one of the hardest workers I have ever met, and one hell of a fighter. He’s got a whole team behind him. Zach is the one player we all know can beat this.”